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18 for 18
THE Mayor of Liverpool has announced
his ambitions to create a major year long cultural programme to mark 10 years
since the City was European Capital of Culture.
Joe Anderson has revealed that work is underway on:- '18 for 18' - a
series of internationally significant events, exhibitions, seasons and
performances which will shine a light on the importance of culture within the
ongoing renaissance of the City, and how it will play a key role in the
blueprint for the success of the Liverpool City Region moving forward.
Plans are in motion to work with some of the world's best artists, musicians and
cultural organisations with early discussions in place that could potentially
see the return of some of the most iconic Royal de Luxe's Giants and the Tall
Ships fleet which made a splash in 2008; both a nod to the success of the last
10 years.
A series of important anniversaries take place in 2018 including the 30th
birthday of Tate Liverpool, the 20th Anniversary of Liverpool Biennial and ten
years of ACC Liverpool and Liverpool ONE, and it is being proposed that the
crucial role of these organisations is celebrated in style.
One of the seasons planned will focus on:- 'The Future of Work', and will
see IFB 2018 and The Uniglobal World Congress be part of a major cultural and
social program looking at what the future of work looks like and means for
society as a whole.
The 18 new commissions will be integrated into the City's already celebrated
cultural offer, and will aim to attract audiences of around five million people,
creating upwards of £50million economic impact and push Liverpool to the top of
the 'must visit' Cities in 2018.
They will also provide even more opportunities for local communities to play a
role in the cultural offer of the City, and to have their stories and hopes for
the future played out for a global audience.
Mayor Anderson said:- "We want everything we do in 2018 to build on the
wonderful work which has taken place in the City since 2008. 2018 will be the
next watershed year in the history of Liverpool and one which will make everyone
who lives here proud, and everyone that doesn't live here wonder why they don't!
Our official culture year quite rightly gets huge public and media recognition,
but it is the years that followed which I am most proud of, the years which have
seen us build on that success.
We didn't treat 2008 as a one off firework display that fizzled out, turning the
lights off when everyone had gone home.
The last 4 years alone have seen major events generate £177million for the local
economy; which is why government of culture is so integral to this City and why
I pushed for it to be at the heart of our devolution deal."
Liverpool's Cultural Sector directly employs 2,000 people and brings in £11 for
every £1 invested.
A piece of work will also be commissioned called:- 'Impact 18' which will look at
how great the impact of the last decade has been in terms of economic, social
impact and international perception of Liverpool.
A comprehensive participation and education programme will run throughout the
year so young people and residents can learn from, and get involved in
activities.
Mayor Anderson added:- "These are huge ambitions, but I know we will
deliver it. If the past few years have told us anything about this City;
hosting major events and international cultural moments is something we excel
at.
We are a City which knows where it has come from and where it is going, with the
next milestone in that long illustrious history being the ambition and scale of
2018."
The full 2018 programme will be announced in the autumn. |
